Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 5:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 5:24 p.m.

SARASOTA - With a theatrical sense of timing, even the winds looked scripted as Nik Wallenda prepared for his wirewalk across U.S. 41 Tuesday morning.

Moments before the white-knuckle adventure began, scudding in from the southwest across otherwise perfect skies, scraps of cumulus clouds gusted along on winds clocked at 25-30 mph.

The melodramatic breeze hissed through palm fronds and ruffled the “Circus Sarasota” banner affixed to the rooftop of Wallenda's destination at Marina Tower. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the highway in the Marina Jack parking lot, the cage lift carrying Wallenda and Circus Sarasota boss Pedro Reis to the summit of the crane platform swayed unsteadily during its ascent.

But in the end, from a distance, before an estimated audience of between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators, Sarasota's superstar aerialist made it look as easy as the wheeling buzzards and pelicans with whom he shared the sky. He completed his 600-foot long, roughly 180-foot high skywalk in 11 minutes.

And he did it with a flourish, taking a knee on the nickel-thick wire, extending his trademark right-fisted salute, then scampering quickly uphill to safety onto the Marina Tower patio.

“I want to buy that condo when I can afford it,” an outwardly relaxed Wallenda responded afterward when asked about the view. Wind speeds at the top? “Nine hundred miles an hour,” he joked.

Tuesday's adventure was not the cakewalk some might have anticipated. Due to a height miscalculation during rigging setup, Wallenda had to approach the condo mostly along a 12-foot downhill slope. When angles are involved, he prefers a climb over a descent.

And unlike his 2010 Sarasota skywalk from the Watergate building to the Ritz-Carlton, the 34-year-old funambulist did not have a skyscraper to shield him from the winds. This time, he did not feel confident enough to lie on his back. “The cable was moving quite a bit,” he said.

What the crowds below could not appreciate were concerns over slack in the guy wires, manned by a crew of volunteers below. Wallenda's reservations unfolded in microphone chats with his father, Terry Troffer:

“Really sloppy right here, Dad,” “Man, are they dancing down there or what?” “C'mon guys, that's horrible,” “Holy crap!” “Who do I need to spank when I get down?”

In fact, one of the guy wires apparently became entangled with a palm tree and required extra muscle to pry loose.

Ultimately, however, with still and video cameras recording every move and inflection from countless angles, Wallenda delivered what he promised city commissioners last week — a panoramic and virtual postcard promoting Sarasota's architecture and bay waters.

City Manager Tom Barwin initially balked during that discussion, suggesting Wallenda wear a safety harness. Wallenda had complained loudly last summer when ABC's legal eagles forced him to strap on a tether — his first ever — during the historic and nationally televised walk over Niagra Falls.

But the commissioners voted unanimously to allow Wallenda to follow family tradition. Tuesday's performance reviews appeared unanimous as well.

“One word — awesome,” said Gary Ellsmere, a snowbird from Ontario who still regrets not joining the 100,000-plus crowd that watched Wallenda cross Horseshoe Falls in 2012. “There's no comparison between watching TV and seeing it in person.

“Sarasota's really got something to be proud of here.”

“I gave up my golf game for this,” added fellow Canadian snowbird Ron Fenton. “It was worth it. This was outstanding.”

“Incredible,” added Mary Anne Faulkner, who came from Bradenton with her husband, Charlie. “This is is part of Sarasota history. I couldn't miss this.”

Flanked by family below, Wallenda was quick to remind his audience that they could catch his act from now through Feb. 15 at Circus Sarasota.

“Every single walk I make, whether it's in a 32-foot tent . . . or 2,000 feet across the Grand Canyon, I'm risking my life. It's important to stay focused.”

Wallenda will attempt to cross the Grand Canyon in Arizona in June. He hopes to make the formal announcement on NBC's “Today” show soon. Wallenda also wants to cross the Eurasian continental divide in Turkey.

Other than that, he said, his aspirations are like anyone else's.

“I plan on living a normal life and dying in bed,” Wallenda said, “at an older age.”

<p><em>SARASOTA</em> - With a theatrical sense of timing, even the winds looked scripted as Nik Wallenda prepared for his wirewalk across U.S. 41 Tuesday morning. </p><p>Moments before the white-knuckle adventure began, scudding in from the southwest across otherwise perfect skies, scraps of cumulus clouds gusted along on winds clocked at 25-30 mph.</p><p>The melodramatic breeze hissed through palm fronds and ruffled the “Circus Sarasota” banner affixed to the rooftop of Wallenda's destination at Marina Tower. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the highway in the Marina Jack parking lot, the cage lift carrying Wallenda and Circus Sarasota boss Pedro Reis to the summit of the crane platform swayed unsteadily during its ascent.</p><p>But in the end, from a distance, before an estimated audience of between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators, Sarasota's superstar aerialist made it look as easy as the wheeling buzzards and pelicans with whom he shared the sky. He completed his 600-foot long, roughly 180-foot high skywalk in 11 minutes. </p><p>And he did it with a flourish, taking a knee on the nickel-thick wire, extending his trademark right-fisted salute, then scampering quickly uphill to safety onto the Marina Tower patio.</p><p>“I want to buy that condo when I can afford it,” an outwardly relaxed Wallenda responded afterward when asked about the view. Wind speeds at the top? “Nine hundred miles an hour,” he joked.</p><p>Tuesday's adventure was not the cakewalk some might have anticipated. Due to a height miscalculation during rigging setup, Wallenda had to approach the condo mostly along a 12-foot downhill slope. When angles are involved, he prefers a climb over a descent.</p><p>And unlike his 2010 Sarasota skywalk from the Watergate building to the Ritz-Carlton, the 34-year-old funambulist did not have a skyscraper to shield him from the winds. This time, he did not feel confident enough to lie on his back. “The cable was moving quite a bit,” he said.</p><p>What the crowds below could not appreciate were concerns over slack in the guy wires, manned by a crew of volunteers below. Wallenda's reservations unfolded in microphone chats with his father, Terry Troffer:</p><p>“Really sloppy right here, Dad,” “Man, are they dancing down there or what?” “C'mon guys, that's horrible,” “Holy crap!” “Who do I need to spank when I get down?”</p><p>In fact, one of the guy wires apparently became entangled with a palm tree and required extra muscle to pry loose.</p><p>Ultimately, however, with still and video cameras recording every move and inflection from countless angles, Wallenda delivered what he promised city commissioners last week — a panoramic and virtual postcard promoting Sarasota's architecture and bay waters.</p><p>City Manager Tom Barwin initially balked during that discussion, suggesting Wallenda wear a safety harness. Wallenda had complained loudly last summer when ABC's legal eagles forced him to strap on a tether — his first ever — during the historic and nationally televised walk over Niagra Falls.</p><p>But the commissioners voted unanimously to allow Wallenda to follow family tradition. Tuesday's performance reviews appeared unanimous as well.</p><p>“One word — awesome,” said Gary Ellsmere, a snowbird from Ontario who still regrets not joining the 100,000-plus crowd that watched Wallenda cross Horseshoe Falls in 2012. “There's no comparison between watching TV and seeing it in person.</p><p>“Sarasota's really got something to be proud of here.”</p><p>“I gave up my golf game for this,” added fellow Canadian snowbird Ron Fenton. “It was worth it. This was outstanding.”</p><p>“Incredible,” added Mary Anne Faulkner, who came from Bradenton with her husband, Charlie. “This is is part of Sarasota history. I couldn't miss this.”</p><p>Flanked by family below, Wallenda was quick to remind his audience that they could catch his act from now through Feb. 15 at Circus Sarasota.</p><p>“Every single walk I make, whether it's in a 32-foot tent . . . or 2,000 feet across the Grand Canyon, I'm risking my life. It's important to stay focused.”</p><p>Wallenda will attempt to cross the Grand Canyon in Arizona in June. He hopes to make the formal announcement on NBC's “Today” show soon. Wallenda also wants to cross the Eurasian continental divide in Turkey. </p><p>Other than that, he said, his aspirations are like anyone else's.</p><p>“I plan on living a normal life and dying in bed,” Wallenda said, “at an older age.”</p>